Illinois Welcoming Centers Rental & Utility Assistance
The Illinois Welcoming Centers & partner organizations are distributing rental & utility assistance for immigrant families. Assistance can be provided for past 12 months of rental and/or utility bills. Rent and/or utilities can be paid back to March 13, 2020. Also, can receive 3 future months of rent, if needed for housing stability.
Requirements for the program:
1. Illinois residency.
2. Financial hardship due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
3. Recipients cannot exceed 80% AMI. Priority will be given to applicants with household income below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
4. Cannot already have received housing and utility assistance for the same time period from any City, State or County program stemming from the CARES Act or the American Rescue Plan Act. This includes state funding from the Illinois Housing and Development Authority (IHDA) programs: Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) and the Illinois Rental Payment Program (IRRP). This also includes City of Chicago funding from the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grants and the Rental Assistance Program (RAP). Also includes the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Grants and Cook County Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance program.